At Broomley First School, we are committed to supporting the emotional health and wellbeing of our pupils and staff. We know that everyone experiences life challenges that can make us vulnerable and at times, anyone may need additional emotional support. We take the view that positive mental health is everybody’s business and that we all have a role to play.
At our school we:
- help children to understand their emotions and feelings better
- help children feel comfortable sharing any concerns or worries
- help children socially to form and maintain relationships
- promote self esteem and ensure children know that they count
- encourage children to be confident and ‘dare to be different’
- help children to develop emotional resilience and to manage setbacks
We offer different levels of support:
Universal Support - To meet the needs of all our pupils through our overall ethos and our wider curriculum. For instance developing resilience for all.
Additional support - For those who may have short term needs and those who may have been made vulnerable by life experiences such as bereavement.
Targeted support - For pupils who need more differentiated support and resources or specific targeted interventions such as wellbeing groups or personal mentors.
Referrals: Pupils who would benefit from support and intervention will be identified by adults working with that child. A referral form will be completed by class teachers. A timetable will be put in place to map all ‘Healthy Mind’ Interventions. Parents will be informed in writing whether they will be receiving any of the above interventions. Parents will be sent a report at the end of the programme. Further information about all interventions will be available in the school website.
As an inclusive school all children will have access to interventions to support their mental and emotional health regardless of gender, disability, ethnicity, SEND.
Where can I get further information?
Please speak to your child's class teacher in the first instance as they will be able to discuss any immediate concerns you have. You can also click the following links for more information.
See also our e-Safety page - this contains useful resources on how to keep your child safe from harm on the internet. The internet is a source of great good but has also been known to be the cause of anxiety for some children following the effects of use of social media. Recommended Digital Resources for Young People
- Emotional Wellbeing Team (Gateshead CAMHS) - Information for Young People
- Emotional Wellbeing Team (Gateshead CAMHS) - A guide for parents, relatives and carers
The Emotional Wellbeing Team - Gateshead CAMHS is made up of practitioners in Gateshead who provide services aimed at improving the mental health and emotional wellbeing of children, young people and their families.
They work with children and young people who are aged 4-18yrs and who live in Gateshead, who are experiencing mild to moderate emotional, behavioural and psychological difficulties such as:
- Behavioural difficulties, including low mood, anxiety and depression.
- Eating distress
- Sleep difficulties
- Self-Harm
- Bereavement and Loss
- Relationship difficulties
- Bullying
They aim to offer the most appropriate, evidence-based therapies and programmes, according to need.
They offer a range of therapeutic services for children, young people and their families who experience moderate to severe emotional/mental health problems, including direct and indirect clinical work through consultation and training. Direct therapeutic work offered includes cognitive behavioural therapy, group work, play therapy and family therapy.
Multi-disciplinary teams may include child psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses, social workers, primary mental health workers and administrators. Services are provided by Tees, Esk and Wear Valley Foundation NHS Trust. North Durham CAMHS (covers Durham, Tel: 0191 594 5770; Chester-le-Street, 0191 333 6005 and Consett and Stanley areas, 01207 216 400)
Referrals are accepted from children and young people, parents and carers, statutory and some voluntary services. They have a single point of access for all referrals within County Durham, please contact them on Tel: 0300 123 9296.
They have lots of useful information here as well as an informative video here explaining what CAHMS is.
Other Useful Websites:
A new mental health website has been created for young people, parents/carers, teachers and other professionals. It is a central point for good quality information on keeping well, self-help and support services. The website covers a range of issues including stress, bullying, self-harm and what to do in a mental health crisis. Please use this service as necessary. Mrs Knox can offer you further advice as required.
Children and young people with mental health problems are at the heart of the work of YoungMinds. If you click on the logo the link will take you to the parents' information section of their website. There is a lot of good information on this website including information on how to get help urgently. Persevere with the website as some information is not immediately evident on the home page. Young Minds provide practical help and expert knowledge to professionals, parents and young people, and this work includes A free Parents’ Helpline – 0808 802 5544, a lifeline to thousands of parents and carers each year.
This links to useful information for parents and carers on how to discuss mental health with their children. Please also see the video links below on mental health. We always recommend parents and carers watch these first but we feel these ones listed here are suitable for most pupils of primary school age. Parent Leaflet - Tips for talking for parents and carers